iMac Updates: USB problems continue to be reported

Following the release of the most recent iMac updates (iMac Update 1.1 and iMac Firmware Update 1.0) we reported several potential problems with them (most noteworthy was a loss of response to the keyboard and mouse, usually remedied by downgrading to the previous ROM file).

More recently, we have received several reports of a similar issue: other third party USB devices not being recognized. In particular:

Stuart Midgley writes that: "iMac Update 1.1 stops all USB devices from working on one of our Revision B iMacs. Again, downgrading to the Mac OS ROM file included on the Software Installer CD that came with his iMac solved the problem. Oddly, while he could repeatedly replicate this symptom and its solution on this one iMac, the symptom did not appear on any of the other 14 virtually identical iMacs in his computer lab.

Tim Shea similarly found that, after installing the tandem of updates, his "MacAlly USB Hub was no longer recognized." Yet again, reinstalling the initial system software from the iMac's original CD was the solution.

Garry Nevin similarly could not use his USB-connected Zip drive and Epson 740 printer after installing the updates. Guess what solved the problem? (No fair; you peeked.) [Garry also had an unrelated startup failure (usually with a message that said "not memory to run Sound Manager") that first appeared after installing the updates. It was resolved by deleting the Sound Preferences file.]

While this problem clearly does not affect all those who update their iMacs, it appears to be a common enough problem that some "fix" from Apple is likely to be needed. [Note: Apple states that "you must install the Firmware Update before installing the 1.1 Update; " I assume that all those reporting these problems installed the files correctly.]